Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Manchester City fans need no egging on when it comes to strange or quirky - just look at the Poznan, the bouncing, backwards celebration they adopted from Poland.

And now a popular but odd snack named the 'Manchester Egg' is the latest fad to make its way to the Etihad Stadium.

The snack, a pickled egg surrounded by Bury black pudding, coated in breadcrumbs and then deep-fried, will be sold on match days after taking the Manchester Food and Drink Festival by storm.

Inventor and amateur chef Ben Holden said: 'I don’t think you can surpass the meat pie, but it’s about time football fans had another option.

'I think the Manchester Egg is perfect for eating on the hoof while walking to the match, washed down with a pint.

'We were overwhelmed by the success of the stall at the food and drink festival, and we’ve been looking for loads of ways to take it to a wider audience including at City.'

Although Blues fans will be able to buy the egg from December before and after matches at City Square, home of Marco Pierre White's Blue Moon Cafe, it is not for City mouths only.

The egg was well received by FC United fans before a recent home match, selling out in 15 minutes, while Manchester United fans are also invited to try it.

Neil Worcester, head of catering operations for Manchester City, told the Manchester Evening News: 'The north-west boasts some of the finest produce in the country and Manchester City prides itself on promoting locally-sourced ingredients across all our catering.'

Not somebody to put all his eggs in one basket, Worcester added: 'The Manchester Egg is one of many locally-produced products that will be featured in our match-day offering in City Square.'